Chris Shepherd's Houston Favorites!

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 22 September 2023

Check out some of Chef Chris Shepherd's favorite spots in Houston. Make sure to book your reservation and find the perfect spot to dine before or after attending Table to Stage!

JŪN

4.7

4.7 (640)

$50 and over

American

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Restaurant by Top Chef Alum, Chef Evelyn Garcia and Chef/Partner Henry Lu. New Asian American restaurant in the Heights serving chef inspired small to large dishes all meant to be shared. JŪN also has a full selection of craft beer from local brewers as well as an exciting wine list.

If you are interested in booking party size 6 and more please email: booking@junbykin.com with your inquires.

Top review

Isaac

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding meal. Tasting menu offered a diverse set of dishes with varying flavors complimented perfectly by the wine pairings. Served went above and beyond to ensure a seamless service and was very attentive throughout, and answered any questions we had about cooking processes, flavor combinations, and techniques used to curate the meal. 10/10 would recommend to anybody seeking an elevated dining experience.

Discover more

Experience

Somm Series: Vive le Vin

Experience

Wine & Dine XVI: Valentine's Day Edition

Experience

Wine and Dine XV Lunar New Year Edition

Grace's

4.8

4.8 (4297)

$31 to $50

American

Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

About the restaurant

Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is primarily first come, first served. If you do not see the time you want available online, please call us directly.

When owner Johnny Carrabba set out on his next restaurant venture, he knew his vision would include the fond memories he had of his dear grandmother Grace Mandola. Grace, also known to the family as Mama, was a Sicilian woman born to immigrant parents in Louisiana. She had a flair for cooking, hospitality, and deep faith.

She was known to make bread from scratch every Saturday for her legendary three-hour Sicilian Sunday lunches; and, her newly established family roots in Louisiana added interesting flavors to her home cooked meals. The entire Mandola family, including her five children and fourteen grandchildren, was regularly greeted in her home with smells of warm bread, well brewed sauces and homemade soups. It was around her table that her family learned the true meaning and value of relationships, friendships and good food.

Top review

Robyn

Dined 2 days ago

Grace’s NEVER fails to disappoint which is why it’s my absolute, most favorite restaurant. Ana greeted me at the front desk and she’s always warm and welcoming and our waitress Jackie was also awesome. Todd was the only thing missing but I know he works at night now.

Discover more

Popular dish

Mia Gumbo

Popular dish

Southern Fried Pork Chop

Popular dish

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Uchi Houston

4.9

4.9 (4459)

$50 and over

Sushi

Montrose

About the restaurant

Bringing its hallmark level of quality and service to an urban location, Uchi Houston made its debut in 2012 in the former historic Felix space on Westheimer. Melding culinary innovation with an approachable vibe, the menu features items culled from both Uchi and Uchiko in Austin, along with signature seasonal items created by our Chef team. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

Top review

Norman Fischer

Dined 4 days ago

We had a memorable birthday evening here! Hudson was our server and he was excellent, patient in explaining the menu, and also listening well to our preferences. The result was a great experience. Every dish was unique and so tasty.

Discover more

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse - Downtown

4.8

4.8 (2867)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Elegant, award-winning steakhouse serving dry-aged prime beef, seafood & exceptional wines.

Top review

Cheree

Dined 2 days ago

Great experience... delicious food..service was excellent. We were placed in room off of main dining room where it was quieter. Main dining room was a little noisy. So we appreciated the quieter room. The only thing I would say that could have been better is that the bread served was NOT already in small slices.... You kinda had to tear off a piece and it was not USER friendly.. They could take a lesson from Landry's Seafood Restaurant in how to serve the bread at the table. Other than that, all was outstanding. We had the octopus appetizer....the BEST octopus appetizer I have ever had and we have tried MANY. The steak was perfect and the salmon was outstanding! The valet parking is kinda tricky...cuz it is on McKinney city street and with a lot of traffic, the valet area really tends to "bottle neck"....so better to go really early or really late for dinner... We definitely will be back. Cheree K. Lake Jackson , TX

Discover more

Popular dish

Turtle Gumbo

Julep

4.3

4.3 (70)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

Julep Bar stands as an illustrious recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award, celebrated for its exquisite blend of craft cocktails, thoughtfully curated bar bites, and an enchanting ambiance. The menus, ever-evolving to mirror the changing seasons, captivate with their meticulous emphasis on fine ingredients and flavors. Located on Washington Ave between Sawyer and Silver St. The neighborhood is full of restaurants and B&B Butcher's Steak House is within walking Distance.

We always take walk-ins so shoot us a texas or stop by and see us if you don't see a table available.

Top review

LeonardVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Festive holiday decor, great service and great cocktails made for a great evening.

Discover more

Experience

Dollar Gulf Oysters

La Lucha

4.7

4.7 (1372)

$30 and under

Seafood

Heights / Washington

About the restaurant

An homage to the San Jacinto Inn, La Lucha offers a unique and indulgent menu complete with the freshest Gulf Coast-only oysters, shrimp, crab, warm biscuits and satisfying fried chicken dinners. Meaning “the Fight,” in reference to the Battle of San Jacinto, La Lucha embraces it’s rebellious side with its beverage selections, surprising guests with a variety of bubbly wines, outstanding craft beers and the essential stellar tequila and mezcal offerings. La Lucha’s comfortable atmosphere pays tribute to chef-owner Ford Fry’s childhood memories, meshes timeless and industrial with a few nods to the 70s.

Top review

Kaelie

Dined 2 days ago

A consistently delicious restaurant since they’ve opened. Love the food, the vibes, and drinks.

State of Grace

4.7

4.7 (3372)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

River Oaks

About the restaurant

State of Grace is a coastal, South Texas neighborhood restaurant in the refurbished Lamar-River Oaks Shopping Center. Elegant but casual, its elevated comfort food by executive chef Bobby Matos is executed at the highest level in a welcoming, beautiful space. The jubilant medley of old favorites played with new spice, accent, and freshness lends itself to southern, American, Latin, Gulf Coast, German and Asian influences. Chef-owner Ford Fry’s first venture outside of Atlanta, State of Grace is located in the neighborhood where Ford grew up and nods to his childhood memories fused with Houston’s evolution into a melting pot of cultures and cuisines.

Top review

Kattina

Dined 1 day ago

Good experience but not the place to have a conversation with your friends… loud!

Discover more

New York Strip Bone-in 18 oz